Made official as of a special council vote on Tuesday July 28, the City of Stanley now has a new face to help administrate: new Administrator- Clerk- Treasurer Donelle Spaulding. Hired for her accounting expertise from a pool of 40 total applicants according to Mayor Al Haas, Spaulding was one of between seven and ten finalists chosen by the City of Stanley to be interviewed to replace outgoing Administrator-Clerk-Treasurer Cynthianna Bergman, who is done as of August. Haas had more to say on the interview process when reached by phone. “The ones we interviewed were chosen for their accounting expertise,” he said of the finalists for the Administrator-Clerk-Treasurer position, going on to say that Spaulding had “stood out above the crowd” and also that “she was the best suited for the job.” Spaulding was mostly circumspect when asked about herself and her accomplishments.

“I’ve lived a lot of places in South Dakota,” she said when asked about her personal background. Currently a resident of Colfax Wisconsin, the new Administrator-Clerk-Treasurer holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Northern State University of Aberdeen, South Dakota and also has 20 plus years’ experience as a finance professional. She is excited to work with the City on all the new projects.

As for a deputy clerk, Spaulding will be working with newly appointed Deputy Clerk Shauntia Hale, a longtime city resident and employee. The Council accepted a resignation letter from former deputy clerk Brittany J. Johnson at its regular meeting Monday August 3, Johnson’s resignation being listed in the meetings consent items. Upon the passage of consent items it was into the budget and approval of the accounts payable checks for the August 3, 2020 meeting.